Project X and the American Aerial Defense of Java, 1941–1942
Coming soon from Texas A&M University Press and authors William H. Bartsch and Edward M. Rogers is Desperate Gambit: Project X and the American Aerial Defense of Java, 1941–1942, which reveals the untold story of how the Army Air Forces sent some eighty B-17 Flying Fortresses nearly 7,000 miles to Java to oppose the Japanese invasion.
In the dark days of World War II, just after Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces were moving almost at will across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. With his troops besieged in the Philippines and his bomber and fighter squadrons decimated, General MacArthur pressured the US War Department to provide urgent help, particularly for replacements for the B-17 bombers devastated in the December 8 attack on Clark Field. President Roosevelt committed to send a large force of heavy bombers and their crews to the Philippines, a reinforcement plan code named “Project X.” Continue reading Project X and the American Aerial Defense of Java, 1941–1942
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MikroMir Releases New 1/48 RAF S.E.1 Model Kit
MikroMir has released a new tool RAF S.E.1 model kit in 1/48 scale.
The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.1 was a one-off experimental aeroplane built at Farnborough in 1911, conceived by Geoffrey de Havilland and F. M. Green from the remains of a damaged Blériot XII monoplane. Its designation meant “Santos Experimental,” reflecting its unusual canard, or tail-first, configuration, and de Havilland made its first brief flight on 11 June 1911. The machine proved difficult to control; later that year, an inexperienced pilot, Lt. Theodore Ridge, was killed when it stalled and spun during a landing attempt. The S.E.1 was not rebuilt, but it remains historically important as the first aircraft in the Royal Aircraft Factory’s influential S.E. design sequence.
The kit (48-022) includes a 3D-printed engine and photo-etched parts. Check out the product page and box contents below.
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2023 Husky A-1C-180 For Sale: “Fresh Annual, Ready to Fly Away”
A 2023 Husky A-1C-180 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
This 2023 Husky A-1C-180 Singel Gas Engine Airplane is just off a fresh annual and ready to fly away. In excellent condition… Next annual due 9/2027; One passenger plane with great avionics. Avionics: Garmin GTX345; GDL69/69A; Bose A-30 Aviation Headset. Equipment: True Blue Power; Reiff Preheat; Model E04-ELT.
The aircraft is located in Afton WY and is currently available for bidding. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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Museum Retrieves B-17 Remains, Future Plans to be Announced
The South Pacific WWII Museum in Luganville, Espiritu Santo (the largest Island of Vanuatu) has announced the acquisition and retrieval of the remains of B-17E (S/N 41-9227) “Yankee Doodle Jr.”
The aircraft crashed on December 31, 1942 while on a flight to Fiji to acquire liquor for a New Year’s Eve party, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and co-pilot. It’s remains had been lying in the jungle inland from Million Dollar Point until the acquisition, which came about due to the generosity of the local landowner.
Plans for the remains will reportedly be announced in the upcoming South Pacific WWII Museum newsletter. Check out the full announcement and accompanying photos below.
Continue reading Museum Retrieves B-17 Remains, Future Plans to be Announced
Eduard Releases ProfiPACK Edition F6F-3 Hellcat With PE, Five Liveries
Among Eduard’s September releases is a ProfiPACK Edition F6F-3 Hellcat model kit in 1/72 scale.
The F6F-3 was introduced in 1943 and became one of the principal American fighters of the Pacific War. Powered by a 2,000-hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine and armed with six .50-caliber Browning machine guns, it combined high speed, heavy firepower, protection, and exceptional survivability. Designed to counter Japan’s Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the Hellcat proved especially effective when flown to exploit its superior speed, dive performance, armor, and self-sealing fuel tanks; U.S. Navy and Marine Hellcat pilots ultimately claimed the majority of American air-to-air victories in the Pacific.
The kit (7074) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with five marking options.
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1965 Cessna 180K For Sale: “Fiberglass Interior, New Carpet, Great Condition”
A 1965 Cessna 180K has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
This 1965 Cessna 180K is equipped with a Garmin GTN 750 and features a fiberglass interior with new carpet. Aircraft and engine times are documented in the available information. Specs & Highlights: ACTT: 1,630.8 hours, Tach: 1,630.8 hours, Hobbs: 372.1 hours, ETT: 1,630.8 hours, ETSMO: 782.9 hours, PTT: 782.9 hours, Garmin GTN 750, Fiberglass interior, New carpet, Great condition
The aircraft is located in Mills, Wyoming with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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New Video Documents Recent Formation Flight of World’s Only Airworthy Helldivers
On August 20th, 2026 Fagen Fighters WWII Museum SB2C-5 Helldiver joined the CAF SB2C-5 Helldiver and the National Museum of WWII Aviation SB2C-1A Helldiver for a formation flight over Colorado Springs, Colorado. This marked the first formation flight in decades for the world’s only remaining airworthy Helldivers.
The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was a U.S. Navy carrier-based dive bomber developed during World War II to replace the Douglas SBD Dauntless. Larger, faster, and more heavily armed than its predecessor, it carried a two-man crew, internal bomb bay, wing-mounted 20 mm cannon, and could deliver bombs, rockets, or depth charges against ships and land targets. Although early production aircraft were troubled by handling, reliability, and structural problems—earning unflattering nicknames from many crews—the Helldiver was steadily improved and became an important late-war strike aircraft, serving in major Pacific operations from 1943 through 1945 and remaining in postwar service with several foreign air arms.
Today, Fagan Fighters WWII Museum released a new film produced by Scott and Kyle Guyette capturing the once-in-a-lifetime event. Check it out below.
Continue reading New Video Documents Recent Formation Flight of World’s Only Airworthy Helldivers
First Look: Copper State Models 1/32 Nieuport 16
Copper State Models has announced the upcoming release of a new Nieuport 16 model kit in 1/32 scale.
The Nieuport 16 was a French single-seat World War I fighter introduced in 1916 as a more powerful, strengthened development of the Nieuport 11 “Bébé.” Powered by a 110 hp Le Rhône rotary engine and normally armed with a Lewis gun above the upper wing, it was faster but more nose-heavy than its predecessor, and was soon replaced by the more capable Nieuport 17.
The upcoming release (CSM32-016) will include Cartograf decals, 111 high-quality injection-moulded plastic parts, photo-etched metal detail parts, full rigging diagram and color instructions.
Pre-ortdering is now open with shipping expected to being by the end of October. Pre-order customers will receive a free 3D-printed Le Rhône 9J engine. Check out livery profiles and an additional test build image below.
Continue reading First Look: Copper State Models 1/32 Nieuport 16
1941 Waco UPF-7 For Sale: “Only 30 Hours Since Restoration”
A 1941 Waco UPF-7 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
This 1941 Waco UPF-7, serial number 5708 and registration N32076, is a classic open-cockpit biplane showing approximately 2,500 hours total time and only 30 hours since restoration. It is equipped with a 96-inch Curtiss-Reed propeller along with modern Trig communications equipment and ADS-B Out.
The aircraft is located in Torrance, CA with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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MiniArt Releases New P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit With PE, Three Liveries
MiniArt has released their new P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit in 1/48 scale.
As previously reported, the P-47M varint was a late-war, high-speed Thunderbolt built for fast interception, using an uprated Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine and featuring the dorsal fin on the rear fuselage to improve directional stability with the bubble canopy. It was the quickest production P-47, but engine teething troubles limited its combat use, and it saw service only briefly with the 56th Fighter Group in Europe.
The new kit (48042) is described as “highly detailed” with realistic representations of the metal surfaces, rivets and panel lines. PE parts and three marking options are also included. The company previously released a Basic version with two marking options.
Buy on eBay (Advanced Kit)
Buy on eBay (Basic Kit)
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